Brentuximab vedotin

Generic name: brentuximab vedotin [ bren-TUX-i-mab-ve-DOE-tin ]
Brand name: Adcetris
Dosage form: intravenous powder for injection (50 mg)
Drug class: CD30 monoclonal antibodies

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Feb 29, 2024. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is brentuximab vedotin?

Brentuximab vedotin is used in adults and children at least 2 years old to treat classical Hodgkin lymphoma.

Brentuximab vedotin is also used in adults to treat anaplastic large cell lymphoma that affects organs throughout the body (systemic) or that is confined only to the skin (primary cutaneous).

Brentuximab may be used in combination with other cancer treatments.

Brentuximab vedotin is sometimes given after other treatments have failed.

Brentuximab vedotin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Brentuximab vedotin side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Some side effects may occur during the injection or within 24 hours afterward. Tell your doctor right away if you feel dizzy, nauseated, chilled or feverish, or if you have itching or trouble breathing.

Brentuximab vedotin may cause a serious brain infection that can lead to disability or death. Call your doctor right away if you have problems with speech, thought, vision, or muscle movement. These symptoms may start gradually and get worse quickly.

Also call your doctor if you have any of these other serious side effects, even if they occur several months after you receive brentuximab vedotin:

• numbness, muscle weakness, burning pain, tingly feeling, or loss of feeling in your arms or legs;

• sudden chest pain or discomfort, wheezing, dry cough, feeling short of breath;

• pain or burning when you urinate;

• unusual changes in mood or behavior;

• thinking or memory problems, weakness on one side of the body, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance;

• high blood sugar--increased thirst, increased urination, dry mouth, fruity breath odor;

• symptoms of serious infection caused by bacteria, virus, fungus, or parasites--fever, chills, cough with mucus, pain, feeling short of breath, night sweats, neck stiffness, confusion;

• ketoacidosis (too much acid in the blood)--nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, confusion, unusual drowsiness, or trouble breathing;

• low blood cell counts--fever, chills, tiredness, mouth sores, skin sores, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, pale skin, cold hands and feet, feeling light-headed or short of breath;

• signs of tumor cell breakdown--confusion, weakness, muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting, fast or slow heart rate, decreased urination, tingling in your hands and feet or around your mouth;

• pancreatitis--severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting;

• liver problems--loss of appetite, stomach pain (upper right side), tiredness, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or

• stomach problems--severe constipation, vomiting, diarrhea, new or worsening stomach pain, bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

Common side effects of brentuximab vedotin may include:

• numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands or feet;

• easy bruising, unusual bleeding, purple or red spots under your skin;

• fever, mouth sores, skin sores, cough;

• blisters or ulcers in your mouth, red or swollen gums;

• sores or white patches in or around your mouth, trouble swallowing or talking, dry mouth, bad breath, altered sense of taste;

• cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat;

• anemia (low red blood cells);

• hair loss, weight loss, stomach pain;

• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation; or

• feeling tired.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Warnings

You should not receive brentuximab vedotin if you are also receiving another cancer medicine called bleomycin.

Brentuximab vedotin may cause a serious brain infection that can lead to disability or death. Call your doctor right away if you have problems with speech, thought, vision, or muscle movement.

Before taking this medicine

You should not be treated with brentuximab vedotin if you are allergic to it, or:

• if you are also receiving another cancer medicine called bleomycin.

Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had:

• diabetes; or

• liver or kidney disease.

Brentuximab vedotin can harm an unborn baby if the mother or the father is using this medicine.

• If you are a woman, you may need a pregnancy test to make sure you are not pregnant. Use birth control while using this medicine and for at least 2 months after your last dose.

• If you are a man, use birth control if your sex partner is able to get pregnant. Keep using birth control for at least 4 months after your last dose.

• Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs.

Do not breastfeed while using brentuximab vedotin.

How is brentuximab vedotin given?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose.

Brentuximab vedotin is given slowly over 30 minutes as an infusion into a vein, usually once every 2 to 3 weeks. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

Doses are based on weight. Your dose may change if you gain or lose weight.

You may be given other medications to help prevent serious side effects or an allergic reaction. Keep using these medicines for as long as your doctor has prescribed.

Brentuximab vedotin can lower your blood cell counts. You will need frequent medical tests and your dose or medication schedule may be changed based on the results.

If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using brentuximab vedotin. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

Related/similar drugs

Keytruda, prednisone, methotrexate, dexamethasone, Decadron, pembrolizumab, cyclophosphamide, Revlimid, Deltasone, doxorubicin

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your brentuximab vedotin injection.

What happens if I overdose?

In a medical setting an overdose would be treated quickly.

What should I avoid while receiving brentuximab vedotin?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

What other drugs will affect brentuximab vedotin?

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medicines at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you use, which may increase side effects or make the medicines less effective.

Other drugs may affect brentuximab vedotin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use.

Brentuximab Biosimilars

Biosimilar and interchangeable products are biological products that are highly similar to and have no clinically meaningful differences from the reference product.

Reference products

These are biological products that have already been approved by the FDA, against which biosimilar products are compared. There is 1 for brentuximab.

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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